LIE versus LAY
1. PAST TENSE: Sometimes memorization is just best
- She lay down on her sofa to read.
- She laid the book on the table, I swear.
- She was lying on the carpet when it happened.
2. PRESENT TENSE: Remember that the gerund form (WAS –ING) uses present tense.
- She was laying down on her sofa to take a nap when the house exploded.
- She was lying on the carpet when it happened.
- She was ating on the floor (no, so it couldn't be laying)
- She was eating on the floor (yes, so she was lying on the floor)
3 comments:
...Willy Strunk Jr. is no doubt smiling down on you right about now. That was one of his most hated pet peeves:)
"The Elements of Style"
The Eat/Ate tip is great. That lay/lie trips up so many writers.
Never thought of it that way. Way to simplify nicely Ben!
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